Describing the COVID lockdown measures as one of the most severe infringements on civil liberties in our country’s postwar history, a Supreme Court justice has expressed his strong criticism.
Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered a scathing analysis of the regulations imposed by federal and state governments during the pandemic. In his declaration for a Supreme Court case involving Title 42, he highlighted the staggering scale at which emergency decrees were issued, resulting in orders for people to stay in their homes and the closure of public and private institutions.
Gorsuch pointed out the stark contrast in treatment between politically favored companies, such as casinos, that were allowed to remain open while churches were forced to shut down. He raised concerns about the imposition of civil penalties and criminal sanctions for those who violated the rules.
Additionally, Justice Gorsuch highlighted the intrusion of federal executive officials through vaccine mandates, which included threats of expulsion for employees and service members who resisted. He even suggested that federal officials may have influenced social media companies to suppress information opposing pandemic policies they disagreed with.
While emergency decrees were swiftly issued, Gorsuch criticized the silence of Congress and state legislatures on these matters. A related case brought by Republican-led states regarding Title 42 was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to its mootness, as the Biden administration announced the end of the public health emergency.
Gorsuch emphasized the importance of learning from this chapter in history, recognizing the powerful influence of fear and the desire for security. He cautioned against blindly following charismatic leaders or experts and acknowledged that decisive executive action can be necessary but may also create new challenges.
Furthermore, the justice expressed concern that governance through indefinite emergency decrees could erode the foundations of democracy and undermine civil liberties.
Citing studies from the United States and other countries, Gorsuch mentioned that the effectiveness of strict lockdown measures has been questioned. These studies revealed that the negative consequences of lockdowns may outweigh the benefits, as evidenced by the relatively modest decrease in COVID mortality rates compared to the significant number of deaths unrelated to the virus.
Dr. Coady Wing, a health policy expert, emphasized that these pandemic rules may have prevented vulnerable individuals from seeking necessary medical attention, potentially resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.